After being in Martial Arts for over a year, I was finally able to do a Round Kick. This is a really big deal to me. When I started Martial Arts, I couldn't even lift my leg off of the ground without losing my balance. I thought it would take years to do this difficult Round Kick.
After tonight, I have realized that I might not be a white belt nearly as long as I thought I would. I am so proud of myself!!!
Thanks to my instructor Dave who showed me different ways to work on my balance and of course Steve and my girls for being there every step of the way.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
The Book Nook
School is back in session so this morning I went to Sharon's classroom as the volunteer morning reader. Sharon was thrilled that I was going to read to the class. Not only did she get to pick out the books I read, but she got to sit next to me on a chair rather than on the floor with all of the other students.
While I was driving home after reading for twenty minutes to a group of seven year olds, all I could think was, "I love my life." I can finally give back to others by doing something I enjoy. How many people can say that? Actually, many can, but never choose to do so.
In the past, I physically couldn't volunteer in my kids school. "Why?" you may ask. I couldn't walk myself to from the car to the classroom. In fact, I wasn't even able to hold a book anymore. Today I was given the gift of providing entertainment to wonderful children through books. It felt so good to see how much they enjoyed listening to me read to them. I can't wait to go back soon and do it again.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Giving It All I've Got
After a long day, I made myself ride my recumbent bike. It had been quite a while since I last rode it. Lately, I've been riding the elliptical (because I can). When I got on it I thought that I'd be lucky if I rode it for 7 minutes. I am proud to say that I exceeded the seven minutes. In fact, I rode that bike for 26 minutes. I even broke a sweat and had to ask Winona to bring me a glass of water halfway through. In that 26 minutes I didn't go easy on myself either. I had the resistance anywhere between three and six. Just before I got off of the bike it read 5.9 miles. I couldn't help but smile and then I ran to tell Steve my good news.
I LOVE that I was able to do this tonight (yes, at night). Two years ago, I could only ride the recumbent bike for a maximum of 5 minutes on the lowest level. I would give it all I had and the results were barely anything. I did it though and that's all that mattered.
So, as I look back at how far I've come in such a short amount of time, I know that I am a living miracle. It's up to me to make sure that I give it all I've got and NEVER take it for granted.
I LOVE that I was able to do this tonight (yes, at night). Two years ago, I could only ride the recumbent bike for a maximum of 5 minutes on the lowest level. I would give it all I had and the results were barely anything. I did it though and that's all that mattered.
So, as I look back at how far I've come in such a short amount of time, I know that I am a living miracle. It's up to me to make sure that I give it all I've got and NEVER take it for granted.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Away We Go
Last night I told Sharon that I would be driving us to the cabin tonight (Steve is already there). She looked at me with concern in her eyes.
"What is it?" I asked.
She informed me that not only have I never driven to the cabin, but in the past I couldn't drive at night.
She's absolutely right. In the past, my muscles would have been far to spastic for me to drive after 3pm. I always relied on others to chauffeur me and the girls to all the activities. For those that know me, you are aware that it's never been easy for me to ask for help. I always wanted to be independent. Once the girls were born I had to swallow my pride and accept help from friends and family.
I am truly grateful for the ability to drive no matter what time of the day it is. It has opened so many doors for me. I can take my girls to basketball practice, pick them up from school, take them to church classes and even be a Girl Scout leader. It's much easier to put events on the calendar when I don't have to call others for help. If I want/need to take the girls somewhere I just do it. Independence is an amazing gift.
"What is it?" I asked.
She informed me that not only have I never driven to the cabin, but in the past I couldn't drive at night.
She's absolutely right. In the past, my muscles would have been far to spastic for me to drive after 3pm. I always relied on others to chauffeur me and the girls to all the activities. For those that know me, you are aware that it's never been easy for me to ask for help. I always wanted to be independent. Once the girls were born I had to swallow my pride and accept help from friends and family.
I am truly grateful for the ability to drive no matter what time of the day it is. It has opened so many doors for me. I can take my girls to basketball practice, pick them up from school, take them to church classes and even be a Girl Scout leader. It's much easier to put events on the calendar when I don't have to call others for help. If I want/need to take the girls somewhere I just do it. Independence is an amazing gift.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
School Days
Last night was orientation at school for my daughters. While I was there I began to recall how nervous I was for my first day of fourth grade at Crooked Lake School. My brother, Tom, had always helped me find my classroom on the first day of school. The first day of fourth grade was different because Tom no longer went to the elementary school. He had moved on to the junior high which meant that I was on my own. I recall being nervous a week in advance. I was scared that I wouldn't be able to find my name outside any of the fourth grade classrooms. This would be nerve racking for any child, but I was nervous that I would have to walk a long way just trying to find the correct room. There were always lots of kids walking the halls and stopping to read the list just as I needed to do. For me walking was always more difficult around others because a slight brush against my arm could send me tumbling to the ground. I survived that first day of school and found my classroom without any trouble.
I feel so blessed that my daughters are healthy and don't have to the physical challenges that I had as a child.
I feel so blessed that my daughters are healthy and don't have to the physical challenges that I had as a child.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Pickles
Our family has a new addition...a kitten named Pickles. I never thought we'd be able to have a house cat because they can get under foot and cause me to fall easily. That isn't the case any longer and we adore our new family member. My girls will be able to experience loving a kitten just as I did as a little girl and that makes me so happy.
How we got her name: We went to a farm to get cucumbers for pickling. They didn't have any. However, they had kittens and we left with one of them instead.
Facing My Fears...Again
This past weekend I rode a bike!!!!
I met up with my childhood friends at a state campground. While we were sitting around my friend, Angie, suggested that I try riding one of their bikes. I didn't think she was serious until she said that she would hang on to the back of the bike for me. After some hesitation, I decided to give it a whirl.
I hadn't ridden a bike since I was twelve. It took my brother, Tom, three summer to teach me how to ride without training wheels. I never thought I would be able to do it, but the day I finally took off down our driveway was one of the most freeing days of my life.
By the time I was twelve, it became too difficult for me to ride my bike an longer. So, when my friends suggested I try the bike again, I was a bit scared. They quickly reminded me that, "once you learn how to ride a bike you never forget how." We all thought this would be a great opportunity to see if that old saying is true. I am proud to say that it is!
Angie and Lonnie grabbed on to the back of the bike (where a toddler would sit) and told me to peddle. A few seconds into the fiasco, I told them to let go. "Are you sure?" they asked. "Yes, let go." Then I was off down the dirt road of the campground. I could help but scream a bit. I tried not to, but I just couldn't help it. I was letting out what sounded like high pitch dog barks. Steve even said that a dog barked back. So, to say I was nervous was an understatement, but who cares. I did it!
I met up with my childhood friends at a state campground. While we were sitting around my friend, Angie, suggested that I try riding one of their bikes. I didn't think she was serious until she said that she would hang on to the back of the bike for me. After some hesitation, I decided to give it a whirl.
I hadn't ridden a bike since I was twelve. It took my brother, Tom, three summer to teach me how to ride without training wheels. I never thought I would be able to do it, but the day I finally took off down our driveway was one of the most freeing days of my life.
By the time I was twelve, it became too difficult for me to ride my bike an longer. So, when my friends suggested I try the bike again, I was a bit scared. They quickly reminded me that, "once you learn how to ride a bike you never forget how." We all thought this would be a great opportunity to see if that old saying is true. I am proud to say that it is!
Angie and Lonnie grabbed on to the back of the bike (where a toddler would sit) and told me to peddle. A few seconds into the fiasco, I told them to let go. "Are you sure?" they asked. "Yes, let go." Then I was off down the dirt road of the campground. I could help but scream a bit. I tried not to, but I just couldn't help it. I was letting out what sounded like high pitch dog barks. Steve even said that a dog barked back. So, to say I was nervous was an understatement, but who cares. I did it!
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